Bethany First Village Chardonnay 2022 (Barossa & Eden Valley)

The 2022 vintage overall was a very balanced and excellent vintage. Adequate rainfall in 2021 was followed a heavy hailstorm which did create some damage in the Shiraz vineyards. However, the main summer ripening season was blessed by moderate temperatures with no very hot (>35C) days and cool nights. This lead to a long and gentle ripening period allowing all fruit to achieve full flavour maturity along with sugar ripeness. The outcome was a long harvest period without any undue pressure from the weather and both white and red grapes showing great flavour intensity, excellent retention of acid and in the case of the red grapes, exceptional colour density.

Night picked, de-stemmed and pressed to stainless steel with 10% new French oak for cool fermentation of 10-14 days. Lees stirring for approx. 2 months post ferment before being allowed to settle naturally and continue to gain weight and freshness through contact with the lees. Stabilised in September 2022 before being filtered and bottled in October 2022.